The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) was a member of the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (CIAU). It was formed in 1972 when the Western Intercollegiate Athletic Association split in two. The western teams (Victoria, UBC, Alberta, Calgary, and Saskatchewan) formed the Canada West Universities Athletic Association while the eastern teams (Brandon, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Lakehead from the ICHA, and later Regina) formed the GPAC (usually referred to as "G Pac"). This situation continued until 1985 when the two leagues reunited under the Canada West banner in hockey, and in 1988 in all sports.